Got issues? Struggling? Missing the “peace that passeth understanding down in your heart?” Today, do you wish you could be so overwhelmed with God’s love and presence that the “things of this earth grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace?” Perhaps it will do you good to pray along with me and my non-inspired psalm — a prayer from a saved, restless, and honest child.
Almighty God,
You are the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, President of Presidents, and Judge of Judges. “You’ve got the whole world in your hands.” “You are sovereign over us.”
More intimately, you are my Personal Redeemer, Heavenly Father, Closest Brother, Best Friend, Intimate Spouse, Wise Counselor, and Faithful Pastor. As the song goes, “That’s who you are.”
According to your Word, you are my bread that satisfies. You are my never exhausted spring of living water. You are my greatest imaginable treasure. Nothing or no one can compare to you. “You’re indescribable … you are amazing God.”
Now, as I read your inspired scriptures, I am told to expect grace upon grace. Yes, you tell me how you will fruit me with love, joy, peace, faith, hope, rest, confidence, and contentment. In your own words, your blessings are new every morning. There are to be “ten thousand reasons for my heart to sing.”
However, if I am honest — and before your omniscient sight what else should I be — I need to tell you how I’m doing. Today, I am not so sharp. My nation, business, church, family, and body are reeling. The war between my old flesh and new spirit is in an escalated state. I am worn out and double-minded — unstable in all my ways. I am not rejoicing in all things. My faith is weak. Perfect peace is not my experiential reality. Oh Father, today, I am not resting. Oh Jesus, my cup is not filled to overflowing. Oh Spirit, I am not enjoying your holy contentment. Yes, sadly, horribly, and sinfully, I am more characterized by the song, “I can’t get no satisfaction.” My mind and emotions are whirling. I feel like crying out with Job, “Where are you?” I feel like crying out with the psalmists, “How long will you hide your face?” Like Jesus, today I am screaming, “I thirst.”
However, I know you are here, and here I come …
“Breathe on me breath of God. Fill me with life anew.”
“Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.”
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2a)
“Come thou fount of every blessing; tune my heart to sing thy praise.”
“Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.”
“Lord, I need you.”
Now Father, I know these are honorable desires. In addition, I know this is a prayer agreeable to your revealed will. And this is what else I know, you have promised to answer such prayers. You are smiling at me right now in my “sweet hour of prayer,”
Therefore, what’s next? How are you “hearing my earnest plea?” What are you going to do? Will you flex your mighty arm? I am waiting for a fresh Gospel awakening. I am waiting for another fresh “baptism” or “falling” of your Holy Spirit.
I know you’ve taken care of my sin.
I know you’ve taken care of my justification and adoption.
I know you’ve taken care of my positional sanctification, and my final glorification is on your agenda.
However, today, in the midst of chaos and turmoil, I want to walk more fully and maturely in the power of your Gospel. Come to my aid and help.
Revive your work, O Lord:
your mighty arm make bare;
speak with the voice which wakes the dead,
and make your people hear.Revive your work, O Lord:
disturb this sleep of death;
ignite the smouldering embers now
by your almighty breath.Revive your work, O Lord:
create soulthirst for you,
and hunger for the bread of life,
our spirits to renew.Revive your work, O Lord:
exalt your precious name,
and by the Holy Spirit come
and set our love aflame.Revive your work, O Lord:
give power unto your word;
grant that your living gospel may
in living faith be heard.Revive your work, O Lord:
give pentecostal showers;
the glory shall be all your own;
the blessing, Lord, be ours.
Your beloved, saved, restless, honest, praying, and waiting child,
Joe
Unfathomable Grace 